Ironing table cover and pad device



Sept. 15, 1964 H. E. KERR 3,148,457

IRONING TABLE COVER AND PAD DEVICE Filed Nov. 28, 1962 United States Patent 3,148,467 IRONING TABLE COVER AND PAD DEVICE Howard E. Kerr, Muscatine, Iowa, assignor to H. V. Keller Mfg. Co., Muscatine, Iowa, a corporation of Minnesota Filed Nov. 28, 1962, Ser. No. 240,670 2 Claims. (Cl. 38-140) This invention relates to ironing tables and more specifically to a cover and pad device for use with conventional ironing tables.

An object of this invention is to provide a novel iron ing table cover and pad device, of simple and inexpensive construction, having a plurality of male coupling elements depending from the lower surface thereof and being readily engageable with snap-coupling effect with the inherently apertured table top of conventional ironing tables thereby permitting effective but releasable application of the device to an ironing table while obviating the need of providing the ironing table with special coupling means.

A more specific object of this invention is to provide a novel and improved ironing table cover and pad device including a pad having a smooth exterior and being shaped to substantially correspond to the configuration of an ironing table top, and having a plurality of cornpressible male coupling elements depending from the lower surface thereof for engaging with snap-coupling effect the steam and heat diffusing apertures of conventional ironing table tops, such as those formed of expanded metal and the like, whereby the cover and pad device provides a highly effective and attractive padded ironing surface.

A further object of this invention is to provide an ironing table cover and pad device of the class described in which the pad is formed of a slightly compressible material having a cover for covering the upper and edge surfaces thereof, and also having a rigid backing element aflixed to the lower surface thereof so that the cover and pad device actually constitutes a highly attractive upward extension of the ironing table top.

These and other objects and advantages of my invention will more fully appear from the following description made in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein like character references refer to the same or similar parts throughout the several views, and in which:

PEG. 1 is a perspective view of my invention applied to a conventional ironing board with parts of the cover and pad device broken away to show the details of construction of the ironing table top;

FIG. 2 is a transverse horizontal cross-sectional view on an enlarged scale taken approximately along line 22 of FIG. 1 and looking in the direction of the arrows;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary plan view of an ironing table formed of expanded metal and illustrating a female coupling element which may be advantageously employed therewith;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of one embodiment of the male coupling elements which may be used with my cover and pad device;

FIG. 5 is an exploded side view partly in section and partly in elevation illustrating the female coupling element shown in FIG. 3; and

FIG. 6 is a side view illustrating a different embodiment of the male coupling element which may be advantageously used with my cover and pad device.

Referring now to the drawings and more specifically to FIG. 1 it will be seen that one embodiment of my novel ironing table cover and pad device, designated generally by the reference numeral 10, is thereshown. It will be seen that my cover and pad device 19 is illustrated in attached cooperating relation with the conventional "ice ironing table 11, the latter including a table top 12 having a pair of legs 13 pivotally secured thereto and being pivotable between an erect operative position, as illustrated in FIG. 1, and a collapsed inoperative position. It will be noted that the legs of the ironing table illustrated are formed of tubular construction and are pivotally connected together intermediate their ends by suitable pivot connection 14. Each of the legs also terminates downwardly in a transversely extending, preferably tubular foot element 15 having a pair of sleeve like, rubber, anti-skid elements 16 at opposite ends thereof. It is also pointed out that the upper ends of the legs 13 are pivotally connected to the under side of the table top 12 and that suitable latch means are provided for maintaining the legs 13 in the erect position.

The table top 12 of the conventional ironing table 11 is preferably formed of a suitable rigid metal and has downturned substantially vertically extending peripheral flanges 17 as best seen in FIGS. 1 and 2, the lower edges of which are rolled as at 18 to form a smooth bead thereat. The table top 12 has a conventional reduced or tapered end portion and the upper surface of the table top is substantially flat but is provided with a plurality of depressed portions 19 throughout the surface area thereof. Each of the depressed portions 19 has an aperture 2% extending therethrough and the depressed portions and apertures permit the diffusion of heat and steam during the ironing operation whereby over-heating of the metallic ironing table is avoided. It is pointed out that many of the conventional ironing tables now commercially available have provision for the steam and heat diffusing apertures and some of these ironing tables have their table tops constructed from expanded metal whereby such apertures are inherent in the construction of such tables.

Covers have also been provided for use in conjunction with ironing table tops and these covers are usually formed of a suitable fabric material and are detachably connected to the table top to which they are applied. Some of the ironing table covers are secured thereto by a lacing effect while in other instances the under side of the ironing table top is provided with male coupling elements which engage and retain grommets formed in the ironing board cover. My novel cover and pad device not only is readily attachable to conventional ironing board tables but cooperates with the inherent apertured construction of most conventional ironing table tops to produce a snap-coupling effect therewith thereby obviating the necessity of special coupling means for the ironing table.

Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 2 it will be seen that my novel cover and pad device 10 includes a pad 21 preferably constructed of a suitable plastic foam material and being shaped and contoured to correspond generally to the configuration of the table top 12. Pad 21 which is of compressible character is also provided with a cover 22 which engages and covers the upper surface and peripheral edges of the pad and has its marginal edges folded below and secured to the lower surface of the pad 21. The cover 22 which fits the pad 21 with a contoured effect may be formed of a durable fabric material such as glass cloth, cotton, cotton with silicone covering or a plastic coated material. Referring again to FIG. 2 it will be seen that the pad 21 is provided with a suitable stiff backing sheet or element 23 which may be formed of a rigid material such as cardboard or the like. This backing sheet may be secured to the pad 21 by any conventional fastening means such as stitching, staples or a suitable adhesive means. The flat backing sheet 23 also has a configuration corresponding substantially to the configuration of the table top 12 as best seen in FIG. 1.

Means are also provided for very effectively but releasably securing the cover and pad device 10 to the table top 12 and to this end it will be seen that the device 10 is provided with a plurality of compressible male snap fasteners or members 24 which depend from the backing element 23. Each of these male snap fastener members 24 includes a substantially circular flat head portion 25 having a split stud portion 26 secured thereto and projecting axially therefrom. It will be noted that the snap fasteners 24 project through openings in the backing element 23 with the head portions 25 positioned against the inner upper surface of the backing element.

Referring again to FIG. 1 it will be noted that the steam and heat diffusing apertures 20 formed in the table top 12 are arranged in longitudinally extending rows. The snap fasteners 24 may also be arranged in longitudinally extending rows and in the embodiment illustrated two such rows may be provided. The snap fasteners are also arranged in spaced-apart relation with respect to each other so that each snap fastener will be arranged in registering relation with one of the apertures 20 when the cover and pad device It is positioned in coincident relation with respect to the table top 12. Thereafter by merely pushing downwardly upon the cover and pad device 10, each snap fastener 24 will be urged through its associated aperture 20 and will engage the table top 12 with snap-coupling effect to thereby very effectively, but releasably secure the cover and pad device 10 to the table top. When so secured to the table top 12, it will be noted as best seen in FIG. 2 that the peripheral edges of the cover and pad device 1% are disposed in substantially coextensive relation with the flanges 17 of the table top. With this arrangement, the cover and pad device '10 actually constitutes an upward extension 'of the table top with a flush coextensive relation being formed at the peripheral edges thereof.

It will therefore be seen that not only does my novel cover and pad device lend itself to ready attachment to the inherently apertured construction of conventional ironing table tops, but also enhances the appearance of the ironing table when so secured thereto.

Referring now to FIGS. 3 to 5, the manner in which my novel cover and pad device may be applied to an ironing table top formed of expanded metal is there illustrated. It will be seen that the ironing table top 12a illustrated in FIG. 3 is of mesh-like construction and is formed of expanded metal whereby the apertures 20a therein are inherently formed. However, since these apertures 26:: are substantially larger than the snap fasteners 24 illustrated in FIG. 4, means defining female snap-coupling members are provided. Each of these female snap-coupling or fastener members are designated generally by the reference numeral 27 and include a substantially fiat rectangular plate 28 having a centrally located aperture therein through which a bolt 29 extends. The bolt 29 of each female snap-coupling or fastener member 27 threadcdly engages a threaded recess 30 formed in a socket element 31. This socket element 31 is provided with an outturned flange 32 and has an upwardly opening socket 33 formed therein for receiving with snap-coupling effect the male snap fastener 24. It is pointed out that the plate 28 as best seen in FIG. engages the lower surface of the expanded metal table top 12a while the outturned flange 32 of each female snap-coupling or fastener member 27 engages the upper surface of the expanded metal table top 12. Thus it will be seen that these female snap-coupling or fastener members 27 may be readily applied to the expanded metal table top 12a at desirable points therealong and cooperate with the male snap fasteners 24 to very effectively but releasably secure the cover and pad device It to these expanded metal ironing tables.

Referring now to FIG. 6 a different form of the male snap fasteners is there illustrated and is shaped from a single piece of metal or wire. This snap fastener designated generally by the reference numeral 24a is also of the compressible type and includes a head 2511 which is of loop-shaped configuration and which is formed by bending the legs 26a. It will be noted that the legs 26a are directed first outwardly from the head and thereafter converge towards each other with the terminal portions thereof engaging and crossing each other. With this arrangement, the legs 26a actually define a stud portion which may be compressed in a manner similar to the split stud portion 26 of the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 5. These male snap fasteners 24a will also be applied to cover and pad device 10 in the manner in which the snap fasteners 24 are so applied and will project downwardly from the backing element 23. When pressed through apertures or sockets in the ironing table top, these snap fasteners 24a will cooperate with the table top to produce a snap-coupling effect thereat to very effectively but releasably secure the cover and pad device to the table top.

From the foregoing it will be seen that I have provided a novel cover and pad device for use with conventional ironing tables, my cover and pad device having male coupling means which cooperate with the inherent apertured construction of the conventional ironing table top to permit the readily but releasable attachment of the device thereto.

It will also be seen from the preceding paragraphs that my novel cover and pad device when applied to an ironing table not only serves as an effective covering therefor, but also enhances the appearance of such an ironing table. Since the smooth surface of the cover and pad device is disposed in substantially flush relation with respect to the peripheral edges of the ironing table, a garment being ironed may be readily moved without the attendant drag caused by the overhanging conventional covers.

Thus it will be seen that I have provided a novel and improved ironing table cover and pad device, which is not only of simple and inexpensive construction, but one which functions in a more efiicient manner than any heretofore known comparable devices.

It will of course be understood that various changes may be made in the form, details, arrangement and proportions of the various parts without departing from the scope of my invention.

What is claimed is:

1. A cover and pad device for use with an ironing table of the type having a horizontally oriented, substantially flat apertured metallic table top, formed of expanded metal or the like and having vertical peripheral edges, the apertures serving to diffuse heat and steam during the ironing operation,

said device comprising a pad formed of a compressible material and having a configuration corresponding to the shape of a table top,

a cover formed of a flexible smooth, preferably fabric material, covering at least the top and edge surfaces of the pad in snug fitting contoured relation,

a backing element formed of rigid material and being secured to the lower surface of said pad,

a plurality of snap coupling female socket elements secured to the table top and presenting upwardly facing sockets,

a plurality of compressible male coupling elements extending downwardly from said backing element and each being insertable into said female coupling elements to produce a snap-coupling effect therewith whereby to releasably secure the device against the table top so that the edges of the device are disposed in substantially upward coextensive relation with the peripheral edges of the table top.

2. A cover and pad device for use with a conventional collapsible ironing table of the type having a horizontally oriented, substantially flat table top provided with a plurality of apertures throughout the surface area thereof for diffusing heat and steam during the ironing operation and having vertical peripheral edges,

said device comprising a pad formed of compressible material and having a configuration corresponding substantially to the shape of the table top of the ironing table,

a cover formed of smooth flexible material covering at least the top and edge surfaces of the pad in snug fitting contoured relation,

a substantially fiat backing element formed of rigid material secured to the lower surface of said pad,

a plurality of compressible male coupling elements extending downwardly from said backing element and each producing a snap-coupling effect with the table top when projected through one of the heat and steam diffusing apertures therein whereby to 6 releasably secure the cover and pad device in abutting relation against the upper surface of the table top With the peripheral edges of the device being substantially coextensive with and forming upward eX- tensions of the peripheral edges of the table top.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 

1. A COVER AND PAD DEVICE FOR USE WITH AN IRONING TABLE OF THE TYPE HAVING A HORIZONTALLY ORIENTED, SUBSTANTIALLY FLAT APERTURED METALLIC TABLE TOP, FORMED OF EXPANDED METAL OR THE LIKE AND HAVING VERTICAL PERIPHERAL EDGES, THE APERTURES SERVING TO DIFFUSE HEAT AND STEAM DURING THE IRONING OPERATION, SAID DEVICE COMPRISING A PAD FORMED OF A COMPRESSIBLE MATERIAL AND HAVING A CONFIGURATION CORRESPONDING TO THE SHAPE OF A TABLE TOP, A COVER FORMED OF A FLEXIBLE SMOOTH, PREFERABLY FABRIC MATERIAL, COVERING AT LEAST THE TOP AND EDGE SURFACES OF THE PAD IN SNUG FITTING CONTOURED RELATION, A BACKING ELEMENT FORMED OF RIGID MATERIAL AND BEING SECURED TO THE LOWER SURFACE OF SAID PAD, 